Abstract: A Unified Speech and Audio Codec (USAC) that may process a window sequence based on mode switching is provided. The USAC may perform encoding or decoding by overlapping between frames based on a folding point when mode switching occurs. The USAC may process different window sequences for each situation to perform encoding or decoding, and thereby may improve a coding efficiency.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous sheet includes mixing a matrix material dispersion including a matrix material dispersed in a first dispersion medium with a microorganism dispersion including microorganisms in a second dispersion medium, to form a mixture. The first and the second dispersion media are removed from the mixture to form a matrix sheet, and the microorganisms are decomposed from the matrix sheet to form the porous sheet.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring chimeric polypeptide having an activity provided by a TGF-beta family member is disclosed. The chimeric polypeptide of an embodiment comprises two or more domains or fragments from parental TGF-beta proteins operably linked such that the resulting polypeptide is capable of modulating a pathway associated with a TGF-beta family member. In one embodiment, the pathway is a SMAD or DAXX pathway.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode; an electrolyte including an oxidizing gas; a metal halide that functions as an active cathode material; and a solvent including a nitrile compound; and a current collector contacting the cathode material.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte in contact with both the anode and the cathode; and an electrically non-conductive separator between the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a membrane having a plurality of voids, wherein at least some of the voids are partially filled with inorganic particles, and wherein the inorganic particles exhibit a shear modulus greater than the shear modulus of the membrane.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode; an electrolyte including an oxidizing gas; a metal halide that functions as an active cathode material; and a solvent including a nitrile compound; and a current collector contacting the cathode material.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous sheet includes mixing a matrix material dispersion including a matrix material dispersed in a first dispersion medium with a microorganism dispersion including microorganisms in a second dispersion medium, to form a mixture. The first and the second dispersion media are removed from the mixture to form a matrix sheet, and the microorganisms are decomposed from the matrix sheet to form the porous sheet.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous sheet includes mixing a matrix material dispersion including a matrix material dispersed in a first dispersion medium with a microorganism dispersion including microorganisms in a second dispersion medium, to form a mixture. The first and the second dispersion media are removed from the mixture to form a matrix sheet, and the microorganisms are decomposed from the matrix sheet to form the porous sheet.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte in contact with both the anode and the cathode; and an electrically non-conductive separator between the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a membrane having a plurality of voids, wherein at least some of the voids are partially filled with inorganic particles, and wherein the inorganic particles exhibit a shear modulus greater than the shear modulus of the membrane.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode; an electrolyte including an oxidizing gas; a metal halide that functions as an active cathode material; and a solvent including a nitrile compound; and a current collector contacting the cathode material.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A method for cell-free protein synthesis is characterized in that pH is controlled by using an enzyme. For example, by using an amino acid decarboxylase, the pH is controlled according to removal of hydrogen ions that are produced during regeneration of ATP. The method for cell-free protein synthesis of the present invention has an advantage that not only the expression amount of protein is enhanced but also the expressed protein can be directly used for activity analysis without undergoing any separation or purification.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous sheet includes mixing a matrix material dispersion including a matrix material dispersed in a first dispersion medium with a microorganism dispersion including microorganisms in a second dispersion medium, to form a mixture. The first and the second dispersion media are removed from the mixture to form a matrix sheet, and the microorganisms are decomposed from the matrix sheet to form the porous sheet.

Abstract: A method for cell-free protein synthesis is characterized in that pH is controlled by using an enzyme. For example, by using an amino acid decarboxylase, the pH is controlled according to removal of hydrogen ions that are produced during regeneration of ATP. The method for cell-free protein synthesis of the present invention has an advantage that not only the expression amount of protein is enhanced but also the expressed protein can be directly used for activity analysis without undergoing any separation or purification.

Abstract: A device includes a membrane that is: (i) impermeable to oxygen, and (ii) insoluble in at least one polar solvent; and ion conducting particles in the membrane. At least some of the particles extend from a first side of the membrane to an opposed second side of the membrane. The thickness of the membrane is 15 ?m to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A lithium-oxygen battery may include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between, and in contact with, the anode and the cathode. The anode may include lithium and/or a lithium alloy. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is predominantly metal oxide with an electron conductivity of at least 10?1 Siemens per centimeter. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface in contact with oxygen, and includes ruthenium oxide. In some examples, the cathode defines a surface that is substantially covered by ruthenium oxide and is in contact with oxygen.

Abstract: A method includes dispensing ion-conducting particles on a substrate comprising an adhesive to which the ion-conducting particles adhere; overcoating the ion conducting particles with a polymer; removing the substrate and the adhesive from the ion conducting particles; and removing a polymer overburden on the ion conducting particles to form a device that includes: (i) the polymer or a derivative thereof, and (ii) ion-conducting particles. At least a portion of the ion-conducting particles extend through the polymer or its derivative.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fiber including electro-spinning onto a substrate polymer solutions from a plurality of jets to form a network of filaments, wherein at least one jet sprays onto the substrate a first chemical mixture including a carbon fiber precursor compound, and at least one other jet sprays onto the substrate a second chemical mixture comprising a sacrificial polymer and a precursor compound of a functional material; and processing the filaments on the substrate, thereby forming an arrangement of carbon fibers having the functional material deposited thereon.